Lamp hanger structure



May 17, 1932. A. J. THOMPSON 1,858,908

LAMP HANGER STRUCTURE Filed July 25. 1929 2 Sheets-Shee 1 lNVENTOR May 17, 1932. A. J. THOMPSON 1,858,908

LAMP HANGER STRUCTURE INVENTOR 1444/40 J. Romero/v ATTORN EYJ Patented May 17, 1932 STATES PAT LAMP HANGER s'rnuorunn Application filed July 25,

This invention relates to improvements in contact assemblies for lamp hangers of the type comprising an upper stationary hanger structure adapted to be mounted at an elei vated point and a lower, lamp carrying hanger structure adapted for releasable latching engagement therewith. The lower hanger structure has attached thereto a suitable chain or cable which travels over a sheave of the upper hanger structure and by means of which chain or cable the lower hanger structure is lowered for inspection, cleaning or repair of its parts, and thereafter raised to latching engagement with the upper hanger structure.

The present invention has particular relation to the cont-act assemblies of the lower hanger structure and their removable mounting thereon.

The general object of the present invention is the provision of improved contact assemblies for the lower hanger structure of a lamp hanger of the character described, each such contact assembly comprising a minimum number of inexpensively formed and extremely rugged parts capable of easy assembly and disassembly and which contact assemblies, along with the lamp structure, may be easily and quickly mounted upon and removed from the lower hanger structure, all

without disturbing the wiring connection between said contact assemblies and said lamp structure. This makes it possible to remove from the lower hanger structure, where necessary or desirable for any reason, such as for cleaning or repair purposes, the lamp structure and the contact assemblies connected thereto, leaving the lower hanger structure is associated relation with the upper hanger structure. This is quite important where there are many lamp hangers of the same design and size, for it is often found that due to casting variations and the like one lower hanger structure will fit one particular upper hanger structure better than it will-another, even though the two upper hanger structures are presumably identical in size and construction. Moreover, by enabling the lamp structure and connected contact assemblies of the lower hanger structure to be thus 1929. Serial No. 380,888.

remove d therefrom, as a unit, it is unnecessary to disturb the connection of the lower hanger structure to the chain or cable by means of which it is raised and lowered. Furthermore, much time is saved from the lighting standpoint. A further object of the present invention is the provision of improved contact assemblies of the character described which are so constructed that there is absolutely no liability of current umping therefrom to metal parts of the lamp hanger, thereby insuring absolute safety.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of contact assemblies for a lower hanger structure having a relatively large and strong spring for permitting proper latching engagement of the lower hanger structure to the upper hanger structure and for permitting the two contact assemblies of the lower hanger structure to readily adjust or accommodate themselves to the contact assemblies of the upper hangerstructure. As a result, the contact assemblies of the lower hanger structure do not need to be inherently resilient or yieldingly mounted. They may therefore be made stronger and more rugged, with consequent prolonged life and efficiency.

Further objects of the invention are in part obvious and in part will appear more in detail hereinafter.

In the drawings, Fig. l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in vertical section of a lamp hanger embodying the present invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view on the line 22, Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is an elevation of another side of the lamp hanger.

For purposes of illustration, the drawings show and the specification describes a lamp hanger of the general construction shown and described in my patent for contacts for lamp hangers, No. 1,732,622 issued October 22, 1929 to which application reference may be had, if desired.

The upper hanger structure of the present lamp hanger includes a sheave housing 1 provided with laterally extending ears 2 by means of which the upper hanger structure may be mounted at an elevated point. Journalled within said housing is a sheave 3 over which travels a chain or cable 1 to one end of which is attached the lower, lamp carrying hanger structure later to be described. Secured to a base flange 5 of said sheave housing, by means of screws 6, is a canopy member of any suitable design, the one here shown having a substantially fiat, generally rectangular top portion 7 and a depending, generally rectangular skirt portion 8, the bottom of the canopy member beingopen.

Arranged within said canopy member and secured to the central portion of the top thereof, such as by means of the screws 6, is a depending assembly guide tube 10 having bottom cam edges 11, the purpose of which will later appear. This tube is provided with a vertical slot 12 and at each side thereof with an outwardly extendingvflange 13, each such flange being provided intermediate its ends with a latch notch 14. Also arranged within the canopy member, along the major axis thereof, are two suitable contact assemblies disposed on opposite sides of the assembly guide tube 10, said contact assemblies being alike throughout so that a description of one will suflice for both. Each includes, in the embodiment here shown, a depending bell-shaped metallic contact member 15 carried by a screw bolt 16 in turn carried by an insulator 18 suitably secured to the top portion 7 of the canopy member, such as by means of the screws 19. Each of these contact assemblies is connected to an incoming or line wire 20, which wires enter the canopy member in any suitable manner and are electrically connected to the contact members 15 through the screw bolts 16.

The lower hanger structure includes in general three main parts: the part to which the chain or cable 4 is attached and which carries the latch for removably connecting the lower hanger structure to the upper hanger structure; the part on which are mounted the Contact assemblies of the lower hanger structure; and the part to which the lamp is connected.

The latch carrying part includes a vertically disposed tubular stem through which extends the chain or cable 4 said stem being secured upon one end of said chain or cable by means of the washers 32 which lie within the chamber 33 of the enlarged lower stem end portion 3% and abut the annular shoulder 35 formed as a result of said stem enlargement. The upper end of this stem is rounded to facilitate its entrance into the assembly guide tube 10 of the upper hanger structure and near its upper end said stem is provided with a vertically disposed, outwardly extending fin or flange 27 for movement in the slot 12 of said assembly guide tube. Said fin is provided in its outer end with an opening to receive a cotter or other pin 38 upon which is pivoted a gravity latch 39, said latch having a nose 40 for latching engagement in the notches 14E of the flanges 13 of the assembly guide tube.

Threaded or otherwise removably secured within the enlarged stem lower end portion 34 is the upper shank of a lamp carrying adapter 51 having a depending lower shank 52 to which is threaded or otherwise suitably connected a lamp structure of any suitable design or construction. Said adapter is provided between its two shanks with two laterally extending, downwardly opening tubular projections '55 for receiving the wires 56, the lower end portions of which pass through the lower shank 52 to the lamp. The upper ends of said wires are suitably connected to the contact assemblies of the lower hanger structure, as will later appear.

The contact carrying part of the lower hanger structure includes a cylindrical housing surrounding the lower half of stem 30, including the enlarged lower end thereof, from which it is spaced. Said housing near its upper end is provided with a cross wall 61 having a centrally disposed, oval-shaped opening 62 through which extends an intermediate part of the stem 30. Said cross wall is provided on its upper surface with two diametrically disposed flanges 63 (Fig. 2) arranged adjacent said opening along the major axis thereof. Each of these flanges is provided with a middle recess or dwell 6 1 and on each side thereof with a downwardly inclined cam edge 65. Cooperating with these cam edges and with these dwells are two diametrically disposed lugs 67 carried by the stem 30, said lugs being normally maintained seated in said dwells by a spring 70 arranged between the cylindrical housing 60 of the contact carrying part and the lower portion of the stem 30 of the latch carrying part. The upper end ofsaid spring engages the cross wall 61 of the former part and the lower end of said spring thrusts against an annular flange 72 of the latter part, said flange extending outwardly from the lower end of the enlarged stem portion 34: into sliding engagement with the cylindrical portion 60 of the contact carrying part, all as clearly indicated in Fig. 1.

At the upper end of the cylindrical housing 60 and preferably formed integral therewith are two diametrically disposed pairs of contact supporting arms 7 5. The two arms of each pair are curved toward each other to form a vertically disposed contact receiving socket 76, a gap 77, preferably of appreciable width, being provided between the outer ends of said arms. Preferably, for weight reducing purposes, said arms decrease in height toward their outer ends, as clearly indicated in the drawings.

The two contact assemblies of the lower hanger structure, for cooperation with the two contact assemblies of the upper hanger structure, are of identical construction so that a description of one will suifice for both. removing them therefrom, as will be readily Each includes a one piece insulator having a body portion 80 shaped to fit a socket 76, and above said body portion, each insulator is provided, in the embodiment shown, with an outwardly extending annular flange 81 adapted to cover and seat upon a pair of arms 75. Each insulator below its body portion is provided with a depending cylindrical extension 83 of reduced size. An opening 85 extends vertically through the insulator and receives a screw bolt 86 by means of which a suitable contact member 87 is mounted on top of the insulator. This contact member may be of any suitable design, so long as it cooperated properly with a contact member 15 of an upper contact assembly. In the present embodiment of the invention, each lower contact member 87 is a simple metallic, cup-shaped member adapted to enter and have its upper circular edge engage one of the upper contact members 15 when the two hanger structures are latched together, as indicated in Fig. 1. Suitably connected to the lower end of the screw bolt 86 of each lower contact assembly by means of the washers 90 and nut 91 is the upper end of a lamp wire 56.

The outwardly extending annular flanges 81 of the lower insulators fully cover the metal arms 75 so that current cannot jump from the metallic contact members 15, 87 to said arms. Furthermore, the depending extensions 83 of the lower insulators suificiently space from the metal arms 75 the points of connection of wires 56 to the screw bolts 86 so that current cannot jump upwardly to said arms. For further safety purposes, the connecting portions of wires 56 and screw bolts 86 may be covered, such as by the tape 93, which not only improves the appearance of the lamp hanger but also protects these portions and prevents current from jumping therefrom to the metal wall of housing 60.

If desired, the annular flanges 81 of the lower insulators may be omitted and the sockets 76 and the insulator body portions 80 may be downwardly tapered, so that said body portion will be firmly but removably held in said sockets. Even if the insulators T are provided with flanges 81, the sockets 76 the contact assemblies in said arms and in understood.

The upper and lower hanger structures are latched together by raising the lower hanger structure a suificient amount with respect to the upper hanger'structure as to bring the latch 39 of the former above the latch notches 14 of the latter, the spring 7 O yielding or being compressedsufliciently for the purpose. The lower hanger. structure is then sligthly and slowly lowered to permit the nose of said latch to drop by gravity into said notches. The lower cam edges 11 of the assembly guide tube 10, by engagement with the stem tin or flange 27, properly position the stem 30 to cause its fin or flange to aline itself with the vertical slot 12 of the assembly guide tube, and thus permit said stem to enter said tube. hen so connected, the contact members 87 of the lower contact assemblies engage the contact members 15 of the upper'contact asemblies with sufficient pressure to insure a proper contact therebetween. While the contact assemblies of the lower hanger structure are not inherently yielding or yieldingly mounted upon the lower hanger structure,'the spring 7 0 of the lower hanger structure permits said contact assemblies to accommodate themselves to the upper contact assemblies, so that proper contact therebetween is always insured.

To unlatch the two hanger structures, the lower hanger structure is simply raised to release the latch nose 40 from the latch notches 14, and if the lower hanger structure is then quickly lowered, said latch nose will pass said latch notches, permitting the lower hanger structure to be lowered the desired amount.

What I claim is: I

1. A contact assembly for lamp hangers comprising an upper hanger member, a lower hanger member, fixed contacts carried by said upper hanger member, floating contact members carried by said lower hanger member and adapted to cooperate with the fixed contacts carried by said upper hanger member to form a complete circuit, a latching mechanism for locking said fixed contacts and floating contacts in cooperative relation, supports for said floating contacts having tapered apertures and taking the form of incomplete closures, each of said floating contact members embodying an electrical connection with a lamp, a contact member for cooperation with one of said fixed contacts, and an insulator body portion tapered correspondingly to the tapered aperture in said support and adapted to rest in and be embraced by said support, the contact members 1 and supports being of such nature as to permit removal of the contacts from the sup ports without disassembly of the contact members.

2. A contact assembly for lamp hangers comprising an upper hanger member, a lower hanger member, fixed contacts carried by said upper hanger member, floating contact members carried by said lower hanger member and adapted to cooperate with the fixed contacts carried by said upper hanger member to form a complete circuit, a latching mechanism for locking said fixed contacts and floating contacts in cooperating relation, supports for said floating contacts having tapered apertures and taking the form of incomplete closures, each of said floating contact members embodying an electrical connection with a lamp, a contact member for cooperation with one of said fixed contacts, and an insulator body portion tapered correspondingly to the tapered aperture in said support and adapted to rest in and be embraced by said support, and a flange adapted to rest on the top of said support, the contact members and supports being of such nature as to permit re moval of the contacts from the supports without disassembly of the contact members.

In testimony whereof I hereby afiix my signature.

ALLISON J. THOMPSON. 

